After determining the spatial coordinates of Nunotaba Shinobu, Arata used the Teigu to move and change his field of vision.
This was a very ordinary cold drink shop. Because it was summer, there were quite a lot of customers, but the atmosphere was relatively quiet. His sudden appearance startled the surrounding people slightly, but they did not find it particularly strange.
At most, they might feel envy, jealousy, or resentment. Although this was Academy City, most students were Level 0 or below.
There were only fifty eight people in the entire Academy City with teleportation abilities, and only nineteen of them could move themselves. All nineteen were high level ability users.
"Shinobu, it has been a long time," Arata said with a smile as he sat down beside her.
"We met just last night," said Nunotaba Shinobu, her eyes carrying a hint of shock as she looked at Arata with her usual blank expression.
Because of her lifestyle habits, her slightly unhealthy eyes looked somewhat eerie, and ordinary students rarely dared to meet her gaze for long.
"It has been more than twenty hours, so why did you suddenly call me? Did you miss me?" Arata said with a faint smile. Nunotaba Shinobu was, after all, a very rare type of beauty and quite pleasing to the eye.
"I never imagined that you were a multi ability user who exists only in theory, possessing abilities such as spatial manipulation, time manipulation, and telekinesis." Nunotaba Shinobu looked at Arata with a deep gaze, as if she were observing a priceless research subject.
"Thank you for the compliment. Would you like something to drink? It is on me." Arata waved the menu in his hand, gestured to the waiter, and smiled at Nunotaba Shinobu.
"I am not complimenting you. A cup of milk tea will do," said Nunotaba Shinobu.
After Arata made his selection, he handed the menu to the waiter, who nodded politely and left.
"So, Shinobu, you did not call me here just to go on a date with me, did you?" Arata asked teasingly.
"Sigh." Nunotaba Shinobu shook her head and looked at Arata with a serious expression. "Do you know your value in Academy City?"
"My value to Academy City?" Arata narrowed his eyes slightly. A faint smile appeared on his lips as he replied with near certainty. "From the way you are saying it, it seems the higher ups want to use me as research material."
He had already anticipated this. The board members of Academy City and the various research institutions would inevitably target such a rare ability.
"Yes. Because you are a multi ability user and the first person in Academy City with a time based ability, many research institutions have jointly initiated the 'Eighth Multi Ability and Time Ability Research Project,' which has already received support from the Board of Directors," Nunotaba Shinobu said slowly, emphasizing how serious the situation was.
"Of course, this is only what I have heard. I cannot confirm whether it is completely true, but the possibility is very high. You should prepare yourself."
Arata crossed his arms. His eyes turned slightly cold and a faint smile appeared on his lips. "So what do they intend to do? Send Anti Skill to arrest me directly, or try to coerce or bribe me? Are they not afraid that I will simply go and kill them, twisting their heads off one by one?"
"Do not get too excited," Nunotaba Shinobu said calmly.
"I am calm. In the face of absolute power, all schemes and tricks are meaningless," Arata replied with a shrug. To him, they were nothing more than clowns who would tremble in fear once they realized they were facing true retaliation.
"You are oversimplifying the situation." Just as Nunotaba Shinobu was about to continue, the waiter delivered their drinks. After the waiter left, she resumed speaking.
"They will first attempt to collect your DNA data. If your DNA does not meet their research requirements, they will use various methods to persuade you to participate in experiments, such as financial incentives. If that fails, they will attempt intimidation. If intimidation also fails, then the worst outcome is that they will mobilize the Dark Side."
Nunotaba Shinobu spoke slowly while stirring her milk tea with a straw. Although she had only been a researcher for a few years, she clearly understood how things worked. Dark Side research projects often involved countless ruthless methods.
"This really is hopeless." Arata shrugged speechlessly. "Am I truly so valuable that the Board of Directors would go to such lengths? Are they all idiots?"
"Your value is greater than you imagine. It is not much lower than Level 6. You are even the first person in Academy City, perhaps the first in the world, to possess a time manipulation ability. That is a power that people once believed only gods could wield," said Nunotaba Shinobu.
"I understand. No matter how many people they send, I will deal with them. I might even storm their research centers or eliminate two or three directors along the way." Arata said this casually while resting his cheek on his hand, speaking words that would make anyone shiver.
After all, Aleister would not care if one or two directors were replaced.
Even if Aleister were informed, this matter would not truly be resolved. The board members might restrain themselves, but the numerous research institutions and financial groups within Academy City were not completely under Aleister's control, so the situation would continue.
They could gain fame and fortune from this research, and perhaps even secure a seat on the Board of Directors through their contributions.
That possibility alone was enough to make those research institutions risk completely offending a Level 5 esper.
"You would be making enemies of the entire Academy City then," Nunotaba Shinobu said quietly. She did not want the person who was willing to risk his life to save the Misaka Sisters to end up in such a dangerous position.
"Relax. It is impossible for something like this to turn me against the entire city. Let us not talk about that. It is not easy to go on a date with a girl." Arata waved his hand casually. His gaze unconsciously drifted toward Nunotaba Shinobu's slender waist.
That waist was absolutely perfect. He almost wanted to reach out and test how it felt to hold it.
"What are you thinking about?" Nunotaba Shinobu asked with a frown after noticing Arata's gaze and smile.
"Nothing. I was just thinking that it would be nice if I could wrap my arm around your waist," Arata said honestly with a cheerful smile.
"At this rate, tomorrow the rumors will say that the Eighth Level 5 is a pervert who harasses girls," Nunotaba Shinobu replied calmly.
"Have mercy. It was only a thought. Of course, if I could actually hug you, your luck would be extremely good," Arata said with a grin.
"I am starting to worry about my future after joining your club." Nunotaba Shinobu sighed before asking, "President, you still have not told me the name of the exchange club you founded."
"The name of the exchange club? SCC Club," Arata answered subconsciously.
"Are you serious?" Nunotaba Shinobu asked flatly.
"Fine. Let us call it the 'Star Creation Club.'"
...
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